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The Pope's Encyclical on Artificial Intelligence

Dr. Richard Benjamins meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican, 2019


MAGNIFICA HUMANITAS – On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence


The article analyses the encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, presented as the Pope’s reflection on artificial intelligence, and interprets it as a major ethical and humanist call in response to the impact of AI on society, work, politics, and human dignity.


Its central thesis is that technology and artificial intelligence must serve humanity and the common good, rather than merely efficiency, economic profit, or the power of a few organisations.


Humanist vision of AI

The encyclical argues that the debate on AI is not merely technical, but profoundly moral, social, and human. It aligns with international ethical frameworks such as the EU AI Act, UNESCO, and the OECD, positioning the Church within the global conversation on responsible AI.


Five values to guide AI

The article argues that the development and use of AI should be grounded in five principles:

  • Common good

  • Universal access to public goods

  • Human dignity

  • Solidarity

  • Justice


Critique of a business model based on exploiting human weaknesses

It warns against the use of technology to capture attention, manipulate emotions, or exploit cognitive vulnerabilities, as happens in parts of the digital economy and social media. It also highlights the risk of delegating too much thinking and judgement to AI, thereby weakening essential human capacities.


Work has value beyond productivity

The article emphasises that work should not be understood solely as a source of income, but also as a space for dignity, identity, responsibility, and human relationships. For this reason, a society made more productive through AI will not truly be better if it increases inequality or damages the environment.


A red line in the military use of AI

One of the most forceful messages is that AI must not make decisions about life or death. The document calls for strong international regulation to prevent an arms race based on autonomous systems.


Democratic risk arising from the concentration of power

It denounces the fact that a small number of major technology companies concentrate enough capabilities, data, and power to influence the moral and social organisation of the world. This poses a risk to democracy and global governance.


Protection of the most vulnerable

The encyclical insists that no one should be left behind. To that end, it proposes universal education and AI literacy, inclusive access, and responsible design, in order to avoid a society divided between those who benefit from AI and those who are excluded.


Click here to read the full article.




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